EP1542612A2

EP1542612A2 - Packaging for storing substances

Info

Publication number: EP1542612A2
Application number: EP03775158A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Uwe Leiner; Manfred Thomas Plaumann
Original assignee: VOCO GmbH
Current assignee: VOCO GmbH
Priority date: 2002-09-18
Filing date: 2003-09-18
Publication date: 2005-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-18
Also published as: CA2495165A1; DE10243401A1; AU2003283249A8; EP1542612B1; WO2004028389A3; US7556147B2; DE50306216D1; AU2003283249A1; DE10243401B4; CA2495165C; WO2004028389A2; US20060118434A1

Abstract

The invention relates to packaging (1) for storing at least two substances in separate chambers, comprising: a first chamber (3) which contains a flowable first substance, (5) and a second chamber (7). The first chamber (3) and the second chamber (7) are respectively formed by liquid-tight sections of a base film (11) which are sealed together, and a cover film (13). The cover film (13) is a composite film comprising a first blocking film (21) made of a metal material and the base film (11) is a composite film comprising a second blocking film (29) made of a metal material. The metal material of the second blocking film (29) is softer than that of the first blocking film. The base film (11) and the cover film (13) are sealed to each other in such a way in an area connecting the first chamber (3) to the second chamber (7), that by applying external pressure on the first chamber (3), (a) the sealing connection between the films (11, 13) is selectively dissolved in the above-mentioned region (15), (b) a through-opening channel (25) is formed between the first and the second chambers, and (c) the first substance (5) can be transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber, and optionally, the material of the cover film (13) is weakened in a region (17) associated with the second chamber (7) such that it can be more easily penetrated in said region in comparison with neighbouring area where there is no such weakening.

Description

Packaging for storing substances

The present invention relates to packaging for storing at least two substances in separate chambers. The packaging is particularly suitable for storing and applying multi-component, flowable dental materials that can be mixed together from two or more substances. A particular application of the packaging according to the invention is the storage and application of components of flowable dental adhesive or fastening substances, fluoride varnishes, liners or desensitizers.

In many applications, especially in medicine or dentistry, it is necessary to apply a small amount of a fluid, in many cases pasty substance on different surfaces such as human skin, hair or teeth. ^' Often the substance to be applied must be mixed immediately before use two substance components are produced, which must be kept separate from each other until they are mixed for reasons of durability.

The mixing or application devices used for mixing the substance components and for applying the substance formed by mixing are often designed as disposable items for reasons of sterility. In order to prevent contamination of the substances to be mixed, prefabricated packaging, containers and blister packs portioned with small amounts of substance are offered. More recently we have e.g. disclosed in the context of EP 1 153 579 A2, which are already well suited for storing and mixing two substances, the mixture product also being easy to remove and apply. Blister packs and application systems for medical and / or dental applications are e.g. also known from EP 770 021 and EP 895 943 B1.

A disadvantage of the known systems, however, is that they are still very uncomfortable to handle and that errors can easily occur when mixing two previously separately stored substances or when removing the resulting mixture of substances, which can adversely affect the application result. The production of the known packaging is also quite complex and costly!

The already mentioned EP 895 943 B1 describes, inter alia, devices (packaging) which comprise two chambers for the separate reception of different substances and which are to be connected to one another via a selectively opening passage area. The passage area can be opened by exerting pressure on one of the two chambers. In addition to one of the two chambers, there is a separate further chamber, which has the shape of a pocket and includes an application instrument. This further chamber is connected to the adjoining chamber comprising a substance via a second selectively opening passage area. To mix the different substances in the first two chambers, pressure is exerted on one of these chambers, so that the first passage area that can be selectively opened opens. Under the pressure effect, substance from the pressurized chamber transferred into the adjacent chamber and mixed with the substance already presented there. In this case, however, the second passage area opens relatively easily to the further chamber in which the application instrument is located. This is then disadvantageously brought into contact with two separate substances which have not yet been mixed or have been mixed insufficiently. However, if the passage area to the further chamber with the application instrument is not opened prematurely, the desired mixing can take place. After mixing, the second passage area between the chamber containing the application instrument and the adjacent (mixing) chamber is then opened and the application instrument is introduced into the mixing chamber. Here, the error can easily be made that the substance mixture flows back into the adjacent chamber via the passage area that was opened first. The removal of the substance mixture is then disadvantageously difficult, a portion of the substance mixture is lost for use and therefore inaccuracies in use occur. In addition, if the application instrument is immersed too deeply into the mixing chamber or even into the first chamber, the shaft of the application instrument is contaminated with substance, which is particularly undesirable in a dental application.

Reference is also made to DE 298 14 215 U1, from which a two-chamber container is known, the chambers of which comprise different substances and are separated by a web. The chambers are each formed from cups in a deep-drawn part, which is closed by a cover film which is sealed on the web between the chambers so that when pressure is applied to one of the chambers, the connection between the two chambers by detaching the sealing film from the web will be produced. In preferred embodiments, the containers of DE 298 14 215 U1 comprise a peelable cover film and the mixture of the two substances previously stored in the chambers can be removed from the container by pulling off the cover film. The cover film can also have an opening, which is then closed with a removable cover film, so that the handling of the containers does not change significantly. The container described in DE 298 14 215 U1 is disadvantageous Not usually suitable for handling very small amounts of liquid, since when the cover or cover film is removed, an uncontrolled loss of substance mixture can occur by adhering to the removed film. The use of the container would therefore be unclean and inaccurate for small amounts of substance.

The object of the present invention is accordingly to provide a packaging for storing at least two substances in separate chambers, which enables simple handling, in particular when mixing and removing small amounts of flowable substance. In particular, it should be possible to mix the substances of a multicomponent system (e.g. two substances stored in neighboring chambers) with a few simple steps and to remove the resulting mixture of substances (cleanly).

According to the invention, this object is achieved by specifying a packaging for storing at least two substances in separate chambers, comprising:

a first chamber containing a flowable first substance and a second chamber, wherein

the first chamber and the second chamber are each formed from sections of a (single) bottom film and a (single) cover film which are sealed to one another in a liquid-tight manner,

in a region connecting the _^ first chamber and the second chamber, the base film and the cover film are sealed to one another (with the formation of a selectively opening passage area) in such a way that by exerting pressure from the outside on the first chamber (a) selectively in said area release the sealing connection between the foils, (b) form a passage channel between the first and the second chamber and (c) the first substance can be transferred from the first to the second chamber, and

optionally the cover film has a material weakening in an area assigned to the second chamber, so that it is in this area is easier to penetrate than in neighboring areas without material weakening.

Frequently, a second substance will be provided in the second chamber of a packaging according to the invention, which together with the flowable first substance forms a two-component system which, by mixing the first and the second substance, converts it into its application state, i.e. is activated. In exceptional cases, however, the second substance can initially also be located in a third chamber, from which it can be transferred into the second chamber, for example via a further selectively releasable sealing connection.

As mentioned, the first and second chambers of a packaging according to the invention are formed from sections of a base film and a cover film which are sealed to one another in a liquid-tight manner. The first and the second chamber are usually surrounded by a common sealing edge between the base film and the cover film, in which there is a high seal strength. In some cases it is advantageous to design the seal between the bottom film and the cover film not only to be liquid-tight but also gas-tight, in particular if an easily evaporable solvent is contained in the first and / or the second chamber.

The base film is preferably a thermoformed film in which depressions or cups are formed which determine the volume of the first and second chambers.

It is preferred that the cover film is a composite film comprising a first barrier film made of a metallic material, and that the bottom film is a composite film comprising a second barrier film made of a metallic material, the metallic material of the second barrier film being softer than that of the first barrier film ,

The inventive and in particular the preferred embodiment of the cover film means that even small, freshly mixed amounts of substance can be removed from the packaging according to the invention in a clean and controlled manner in a few simple steps. The provision of a material weakening in the cover film may be important for the invention an area assigned to the second chamber. The location of the material weakening defines a predetermined breaking point in the cover film and makes it possible to puncture the cover film with a suitable application device in order to remove substance (usually a substance mixture produced immediately beforehand) from the second chamber (removal chamber).

The ratio of the hardness of the metallic material of the first barrier film to that of the material of the second barrier film is of great importance for the preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention: On the one hand, the second barrier film must be deformable as part of the bottom film, since preferably the troughs in the bottom film or cups are formed (preferably by deep-drawing processes) which determine the volume of the separate chambers of the packaging according to the invention. On the other hand, the cover film - and thus possibly also the metallic material of the first barrier film - must be penetrable as well as possible, which is why it should be as little flexible as possible. The described hardness ratio of the materials of the barrier films to one another also results in a particularly increased removal security: if a tool used to puncture the cover film is used with sufficient force that after the puncture of the cover film is also on the. Bottom film hits, because of its comparatively low hardness, this initially reacts with deformation, which makes it difficult to puncture the bottom film. Thus, the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art packaging do not exist in the packaging according to the invention, in particular in its preferred embodiment.

Another advantage of a soft bottom film is that the contour of the deep-drawn second trough can deform when the first substance is transferred from the first to the second chamber, since the second chamber has to take up a correspondingly higher volume after the substance has been transferred. This task can also be supported in that the second chamber is designed in a bellows or shaft-like manner. In this case, the softness of the second barrier film enables it to change after the deformation due to the inflow of the first substance does not significantly reset. An undesirable increased internal pressure in the second chamber is thus avoided.

The cover film of a packaging according to the invention must simultaneously perform two opposing tasks. On the one hand, it should be possible to seal it to the base film in such a way that the passage area that can be selectively opened can be formed, i.e. the area in which the sealing connection between the foils can be released by exerting pressure on the first chamber from the outside, a passage channel can be formed and the first substance can be transferred from the first to the second chamber. On the other hand, the cover film should be easily penetrable in an area assigned to the second chamber. The sealing strength in the passage area which selectively opens and connects the first chamber and the second chamber can be described as "peelable", so that one could have first come up with the idea of sealing a conventional peelable film on the base film. However, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that peelable films in this application must have a certain minimum strength so that they do not accidentally tear open on the outside when the pressure is exerted on the first chamber, which contradicts the required ease of penetration, so that he immediately replaces this idea would have discarded. According to the invention, this contradiction is overcome by creating a peel-capable connection of high strength, as defined above, in the selectively opening passage area between the first and second chamber, but on the other hand deliberately providing the cover film with a material weakening, so that it is in one of the area assigned to the second chamber can be pierced comparatively easily.

A packaging according to the invention is preferably designed such that the cover film comprises a first sealing layer (e.g. lacquer or film), the bottom film comprises a second sealing layer (e.g. lacquer or film) and the second sealing layer is thicker than and sealed to the first sealing layer.

In the context of this text, the term “sealing layer” includes, in particular, sealing films, but for example also layers of sealing wax. The preferred one The thickness of the second sealing layer is <100 μm, particularly preferably <20 μm.

A packaging according to the invention is preferably designed such that a reinforced, e.g. multiple, in particular double weld seam is placed in the area of the common edge around the chambers. The strengthening of the weld seam can also be based on the fact that it was sealed under different conditions (temperature, pressure, sealing time) than the remaining area of the seal between the cover and bottom foils.

Also preferred is a packaging according to the invention, which is characterized in that a simple weld seam is placed in the area connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.

A sensible selection of the geometry of the weld seams makes it possible to adapt the packaging according to the invention particularly well to its task. For example, a reinforced weld seam in the area of the common edge around the chambers effectively makes it difficult for the contents of the chambers to escape from one side of the packaging according to the invention even when pressure is exerted, as is necessary for opening the through-channel between the chambers. In particular in the connection of the reinforced weld seam in the area surrounding the chambers with a simple weld seam in the area connecting the first and the second chamber, the material flow from the first chamber into the second chamber is thus given a clear direction when the passage area is opened.

Cover films preferred for use in packaging according to the invention are composite films comprising:

- a first sealing layer (e.g. sealing foil or varnish) that is sealed to the bottom foil,

- A first barrier film and, if necessary

- a stabilizing film. A first sealing film, which is sealed to the bottom film, advantageously consists of a polyolefin or a copolymer of different polyolefins. Polypropylene and polyethylene and their copolymers are preferred. The use of a sealing film made of polypropylene, which has a thickness in the range between 15 and 25 μm, has proven to be particularly advantageous; a thickness of 20 μm is preferred. The choice of the sealing film material and the sealing film thickness is adapted to the design of the first barrier film. The specified preferred embodiments of the first. Sealing film is particularly suitable for connection to a first barrier film made of aluminum or another metallic material. It should be pointed out that polypropylene films that are thicker than 30 mm are no longer easily penetrable and are therefore only suitable for producing a packaging according to the invention in exceptional cases. Polyolefin layers with a thickness of less than 20 μm can - as our own studies have now shown - not be particularly well connected with an aluminum barrier film.

The first barrier film preferably consists of a metallic material such as aluminum, hard aluminum being preferred because of its good puncture ability. Particularly when using hard aluminum, a barrier film thickness in the range between 15 and 30 μm is preferred, a thickness of

20 μm has proven to be particularly suitable. The use of thinner

Aluminum foils would be interesting in principle; however, aluminum foils with a thickness below 20 μm (in particular below 15 μm) are not reliably non-porous and are therefore still unacceptable as a barrier foil (barrier layer) today. Aluminum layers with a thickness of more than 30 μm are no longer easily penetrable and are therefore only suitable as a barrier film in exceptional cases.

The first sealing layer (e.g. film or lacquer) and the first barrier film (in each case in particular in their preferred embodiments explained above) are regularly connected to one another using a solvent-resistant adhesion promoter.

If the first barrier film is made of a metallic material, an enamel finish is usually applied to protect against corrosion from that of the first Sealing layer (eg film or lacquer) facing away from the barrier film. The stove enamel usually has to be heat-resistant, because when the cover film is sealed to the base film, the heat is applied from the side of the cover film opposite the base film.

The stabilization film provided in a preferred cover film (composite film) if necessary primarily fulfills. the purpose of stabilizing the composite of the first sealing film and the first barrier film against unintentional tearing. The stabilizing film can, of course, also perform a secondary function and be designed, for example, as a label which is provided with text and / or image information and is formed, for example, from paper, adhesive and a layer of paint.

The possible weakening of material (predetermined breaking point) in the cover film in the area assigned to the second chamber can be generated in different ways:

According to a first alternative embodiment, the cover film is thinner in the area assigned to the second chamber than in neighboring areas _. (non-weakened) areas of the cover film. This can be achieved by the first sealing layer (eg film or lacquer) and / or the first barrier film and / or the stabilizing film (if present) being thinner in said area than in neighboring areas.

According to a second alternative embodiment, which relates to a cover film designed as a composite film, a stabilizing film is provided which, with an otherwise constant thickness, has a cutout in the area assigned to the second chamber. So while outside the predetermined breaking point the cover film e.g. is designed as a composite of the first sealing film, the first barrier film and the stabilizing film, the stabilizing film is missing in the area of the predetermined breaking point (it has a recess there), which causes the weakening of the material according to the invention.

According to a third alternative embodiment, an embossing or an incision is provided in the cover film in the area assigned to the second chamber. Further alternative configurations and combinations of the aforementioned alternatives are possible.

It has already been stated that in a packaging according to the invention, the first and the second chamber are formed from sections of a (single) bottom film and a (single) cover film sealed to one another. Furthermore, it has already been stated that the seal is preferably particularly strong in an edge region surrounding the first and the second chamber. Compared to this fixed seal, the seal between the base film and cover film in the area connecting the first chamber and the second chamber is advantageously weakened in such a way that the selective opening of the passage area between the first and the second chamber is possible, i.e. an opening of the passage area without destroying the seal in the area of the common edge of the chambers.

Such weakening of the seal in the area of the passage opening can be achieved by various measures.

For example, foreign particles (and in particular peel film die-cuts) can be arranged in the weakened sealing area. Alternatively and / or additionally, in the area to be weakened, a substance impairing the sealing of the base film and cover film could have been applied to the base and / or cover film before the sealing was produced. Further alternatively or additionally, the seal can be produced by welding the base and cover foils, the welding temperature and / or the pressing pressure during welding and / or the welding time being different in the area connecting the first chamber and the welding time than in adjacent areas ; the person skilled in the art will select the welding conditions taking into account the materials to be welded on the basis of conventional considerations. Further alternatively or additionally, a different sealing geometry can be provided in the area connecting the first chamber and the second chamber to weaken the seal than in adjacent areas; For example, in the area of the common edge around the chambers, a double weld seam and in the area connecting the chambers, only a single weld seam be set. The design of the weld cross-section is also a suitable means of producing locally different sealing strengths.

The bottom film of a packaging according to the invention, which comprises the cups or troughs which essentially define the volume of the first and second chambers, preferably comprises

- a second sealing layer (e.g. film or varnish) that is sealed to the cover film,

- A second barrier film and, if necessary

- an outer film.

The second sealing layer (e.g. film or varnish) is sealed to the first sealing layer (e.g. film or varnish), even if the cover film is designed as a Nerbund film. Like the first sealing film, the second sealing film advantageously consists of a polyolefin or a copolymer of different polyolefins. Polyethylene, polypropylene and their copolymers are again preferred. However, the second sealing film should be thicker than the first sealing film, thicknesses in the range between 40 and 140 μm being advantageous and thicknesses in the range between 40 and 80 μm being preferred, and a thickness of 60 μm being particularly advantageous. The first and second sealing films can be formed from the same or different materials. The use of different materials can be advantageous for producing a peelable connection.

Like the first barrier film of a preferred cover film, the second barrier film advantageously consists of a metallic material such as aluminum. However, the metallic material should preferably be softer than the metallic material of the first barrier film of the cover film, because it is regularly deformed in the base film when the troughs (cups) are produced. The second barrier film preferably has a thickness in the range between 35 and 55 μm and preferably a thickness of 45 μm. An adhesion promoter, which can also be referred to as laminating lacquer and is resistant to solvents, is usually arranged between the second sealing film and the second barrier film.

The outer film of the Verburid floor film, if present, preferably consists of polyamide and advantageously of oriented polyamide. In many cases, the outer film has a thickness in the range between 20 and 30 μm, a thickness of 25 μm being preferred. The outer film should support the bottom film as a whole and prevent it from tearing prematurely. It also contributes to better deformability of the base film, especially when the preferred materials are used.

An adhesion promoter, which can also be referred to as a laminating lacquer and is not necessarily solvent-resistant, is usually arranged between the outer film and the second barrier film.

According to a further important aspect, the base film of a packaging according to the invention advantageously has a standing surface which lies opposite the area of the cover film in which it has a material weakening and is designed such that the packaging is placed on a horizontal surface after or during the penetration of the material-weakened area can, without a flowable substance can escape from the second chamber into the environment. Such a configuration of a packaging according to the invention has further advantages in comparison with the above-mentioned packaging from the prior art. In particular, in the case of the packaging known from EP 895 943 B1, it is felt to be disadvantageous that after the substance has been removed with the aid of the application instrument (application device), it cannot be placed on a horizontal surface without there being a risk, particularly in the case of low-viscosity substances that any residual substance left in the packaging now runs out of it.

The configuration of the packaging according to EP 1 153 579 A2 does not allow safe storage after opening the chambers that contain substance. The packaging according to the invention provided with a standing surface, however, can in the region of the second after the cover film has been pierced Chamber are placed on a horizontal surface without any substance leaking out of the packaging and contaminating the environment; this also applies to very thin substances.

A method according to the invention for producing a directly applicable mixture of two substances comprises the following steps:

Providing a packaging according to the invention, the second chamber containing a second substance,

Applying external pressure to the first chamber so that (a) the seal connection between the foils is selectively released in the selectively opening passage area, (b) a passage channel is formed between the first and the second chamber and (c) the first Substance is transferred from the first into the second chamber and brought into contact with the second substance,

Puncturing the cover film in the area assigned to the second chamber, which has a material weakening,

Mixing the first and second substances before or after piercing the cover film,

Removing the mixture of the first and second substance from the second chamber.

In particular, an application device with an application tip can be used to pierce the cover film, which can also be used advantageously for mixing the first and second substances in the second chamber and for removing the mixture of first and second substances from the second chamber.

For the mixing of the first and the second substance, a piercing tool which may be used or an application tool which supplies the mixed substances for their intended use can be used after the cover film has been pierced. The mixing can also - especially if it is done before the cover film is pierced - after opening the passage done without or with only minor external influence on the packaging according to the invention, for. B. Shake.

The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

They represent:

Fig. 1a-c 2-chamber packaging according to the invention in different views;

2a, a ', b, b', c schematic representation of the sequence of a method according to the invention (in two variants) using a 2-chamber packaging according to the invention;

Fig. 3 3-chamber packaging according to the invention in cross section; and

Fig. 4 arrangement of several laterally connected two-chamber packaging according to the invention in plan view.

A two-chamber packaging according to the invention is shown in different views in FIGS. 1a-d.

The packaging 1 shown in FIG. 1 a in a lateral cross section comprises a first chamber 3, which comprises a flowable first substance 5, and a second chamber 7, which contains a second substance 9.

First chamber 3 and second chamber 7 are formed from sections of a base film 11 and a cover film 13 which are sealed to one another in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner. In a passage area 15 which selectively connects the first chamber 3 and the second chamber 7, the bottom film 11 and the cover film 13 are sealed to one another in a peelable manner. In a region 17 assigned to the second chamber 7, the cover film 13 has a material weakening, so that it is easier to penetrate in this region than in neighboring regions; this will be discussed in detail below. The packaging 1 has a grip section 18 with webs 20 which serve to stiffen the grip section 18 and from there extend partially past the chambers 3, 7 and around them.

Further details can be gathered from the plan view according to FIG. 1 b, dashed lines illustrating the contours of elements of the packaging shown which are covered by the cover film. It can be seen that the first chamber 3 has a smaller diameter than the second chamber 7; the interior volume of the first chamber is approximately 1 ml, the interior volume of the second chamber is approximately 2 ml. In other exemplary embodiments, which are not shown, the volume of the first and second chambers can be significantly reduced, since in particular in the medical or dental field, the mixture is often used and application of a very small amount of substance in the range of approximately 0.01 to 1 ml is required.

Both the bottom film 11 and the cover film 13 are composite films. Their structure can be seen in particular from the detailed view according to FIG. 1c.

The cover film 13 comprises a first sealing layer (film or lacquer) 19 which is sealed to the bottom film 11. The first sealing layer (foil or lacquer) consists of polyethylene or polypropylene and has a thickness of 20 μm. By means of a solvent-resistant adhesion promoter, not shown, the first sealing layer (film or lacquer) is connected to a first barrier film 21 made of hard aluminum, which has a thickness of 20 μm. A stabilizing film 23 is glued to this.

The base film (thermoformed film) 11 comprises a second sealing layer (film or lacquer) 27 made of polyethylene or polypropylene, which has a thickness of 60 μm. The polypropylene layer 27 is connected to a soft, easily deformable aluminum foil 29, which has a thickness of 45 μm, via a solvent-resistant adhesion promoter, not shown. This aluminum foil is connected by means of an adhesion promoter (also referred to as laminating lacquer) to an outer foil 31 made of oriented polyamide, which has a thickness of 25 μm and whose job it is to stabilize the base foil 11 as a whole, to prevent premature tearing and the deformability of the Increase bottom film (thermoformed film). The stabilizing film 23 has been glued to the first barrier film 21 of the cover film after the bond between the first sealing film 19 and the second sealing film 27 has been produced by welding. In the detailed view according to FIG. 1c, barriers 33 and 35 lying in the region of the handle section 18 can be seen, in which the first sealing layer (film or lacquer) 19, the first barrier film 21, the second sealing layer (film or lacquer) 27, the second barrier film 29 and the outer film 31 are deformed. This deformation, which is due to the action of a corresponding sealing tool, results in a particularly strong seal and a barrier effect against the escape of volatile substances from the chambers 3 and 7 respectively. The barriers 33 and 35 run around both chambers 3 and 7. Between the barriers 33 and 35, the sealing layer is in particular somewhat thicker and forms a kind of sealing edge in which a mechanical solution to the sealing is very difficult (no peelability).

In the passage area 15 that can be selectively opened between the first chamber 3 and the second chamber 7, the seal between the base film 11 and the cover film 13 is weakened in comparison with the sealing areas (barriers) 33, 35. The strength of the seal in the passage area 15 corresponds to that of a peelable connection.

The weakening of the material of the cover film 13 is based, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 1 a, on the presence of a cutout in the stabilization film 23, which lies exactly above the second chamber 7. In the area of the cutout, the second chamber 7 is therefore separated from the environment only by the (then external) first barrier film 21 and the first sealing layer (film or lacquer) 19. Since the first sealing layer (film or lacquer) 19 and the first barrier film 21 are each designed to be very thin, the cover film in the region of the cutout can be pierced comparatively easily by means of a conventional application device.

The entire device is constructed in such a way that the outer contour together with the webs and chamber (s) result in a footprint. The standing surface section of the base film in the area of the second chamber 7 is opposite the area of the cover film 13 in which the latter has the recess (Material weakening). Due to the presence of the standing surface (s), the packaging 1 can be placed on a horizontal surface both before and after or during the penetration of the material-weakened region 17 without a liquid or a solid being able to escape from the second chamber 7 into the environment.

FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show how the packaging shown in FIGS. 1a-1c is used. Figures 2a 'and 2b' relate to - an alternative design not shown in Figures 1a-1c. Fig. 2c connects to Fig. 2b and 2b '; the existing differences in the alternative designs are no longer shown in FIG. 2c. The difference between FIGS. 2a and 2a 'and FIGS. 2b and 2b' is that the bottom of the second chamber 7 is configured in a wave-like manner in the packaging shown in FIGS. 2a 'and 2b', so that when the Pressure within the area of the second chamber 7, the bottom of which can expand outwards, which causes an increase in volume in the area of the second chamber.

FIG. 2a corresponds to FIG. 1a, with some reference numerals and details being omitted for the sake of clarity. Figure 2a shows the storage condition of the packaging according to the invention.

In operation, the user takes the packaging in the area of the first chamber 3 and exerts pressure from the outside on the first chamber 3, for example with the thumb and forefinger, so that the seal connection between the base film 11 and the cover film 13 is released in the area 15 and a passage 25 is formed between the first and second chambers 3 and 7, respectively. The first substance 5 is transported by the pressure in the direction of the passage 25 and then (in the direction of the arrow) through it into the second chamber 7, where it mixes with the second substance. Because of the only small amounts of substance, further mixing (e.g. by shaking or the like) is not necessary, provided the substances 5 and 9 to be mixed are matched to one another in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

After substances 5 and 9 have been mixed, a mixture of substances 59 is present in the second chamber. To remove this substance mixture 59 from the second chamber 7, the cover film 13 is pierced in the material-weakened area 15 by means of an application device 37 which has a tip, the tip of the application device is immersed in the substance mixture 59 and the application device with the substance mixture 59 adhering thereto is removed again pulled out second chamber. In order to prevent the substance mixture 59 from being stripped off too much from the application device 37 at the ^“ edges of the hole in the cover film 13 that is created when it is punctured, the hole can be widened by a stirring movement of the application device 13. Damage or even puncturing of the base film 11 This is avoided due to the thickness and strength of this film The webs 20, particularly shown in FIGS. 1a-b, stabilize the packaging to a sufficient extent so that the force applied when the cover film 13 is pierced does not cause the packaging 1 held down between the thumb and forefinger to bend down The packaging naturally gains further stability through the stabilizing film 23 (not shown in FIGS. 2a-c).

FIG. 3 shows a 3-chamber packaging according to the invention in cross section, which substances to be mixed with one another in a first chamber 63 and a second chamber 67. contains, while a third chamber 69 is empty in the storage state shown. The chambers 63 and 67 are connected to one another via a selectively openable passage area 71 and the chambers 67 and 69 via a second selectively openable passage area 73. The third chamber 69, which is empty when stored, is a predetermined breaking point 75 in an existing one

Cover film 77 assigned. The cover sheet 77 forms together with a

• bottom film 79 the packaging shown in Figure 3, the structure of the

Foil composite corresponds to that in the 2-chamber packaging, which in the

Figures 1 and 2 is shown.

The substances contained in the chambers 63 and 67 can first be mixed with one another in the chamber 67 after the selectively opening passage region 71 has been opened. The resulting mixture of substances can then be transferred to chamber 69, for which purpose Passage area 73 is to be opened. After the area 75 has been penetrated, the substance mixture can be removed from the chamber 69.

FIG. 4 shows an ensemble of a plurality of two-chamber packages 81 which are laterally connected to one another, the connections 83 being perforated or having predetermined breaking points, so that the individual packages 81 can be detached from one another if necessary.

Claims

Expectations

1. Packaging (1) for storing at least two substances in separate chambers, comprising:

a first chamber (3) containing a flowable first substance (5) and a second chamber (7), wherein

the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (7) are each formed from sections of a base film (11) and a cover film (13) sealed to one another in a liquid-tight manner,

the cover film (13) is a composite film, comprising a first barrier film (21) made of a metallic material,

the base film (11) is a composite film, comprising a second barrier film (29) made of a metallic material, the metallic material of the second barrier film (29) being softer than that of the first barrier film (21),

in a region (15) connecting the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (7), the base film (11) and the cover film (13) are sealed to one another in such a way that by exerting pressure on the first chamber (3) from outside ( a) selectively loosen the seal connection between the foils (11, 13) in said area (15), (b) form a passage channel (25) between the first and the second chamber and (c) the first substance (5) the first can be transferred to the second chamber, and

optionally the cover film (13) has material monitoring in an area (17) assigned to the second chamber (7), so that it is easier to penetrate in this area than in adjacent areas without material weakening.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover film (13) comprises a first sealing layer (19), the bottom film (11) comprises a second sealing layer (27) and the second sealing layer (27) is thicker than the first sealing layer ( 19) and sealed to it.

3. Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a reinforced weld seam is placed in the region of the common edge around the chambers (3,7).

4. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a simple weld in which the first chamber

(3) and the second chamber (7) connecting area is set.

5. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover film (13) comprises a stabilizing film (23).

6. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material weakening of the cover sheet (13) which may be present is based on one or more of the following measures:

a reduced thickness of the cover film (13) in the area assigned to the second bark (7) compared to adjacent areas of the cover film,

an embodiment of the cover film as a composite film according to claim 5, wherein a stabilizing film (23) is provided which has a recess in the area assigned to the second chamber,

an imprint or an incision in. the cover film in the area assigned to the second chamber.

7. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal between the base film (11) and cover film (13) in the area (15) connecting the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (7) is weakened.

8. Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the seal between the base film (11) and cover film (13) in the area connecting the first chamber and the second chamber is weakened due to one or more of the following measures:

Arrangement of foreign particles, preferably peel-off die cuts, in the weakened sealing area, before producing the seal, applying a substance impairing the sealing of the base sheet and cover sheet to the base sheet and / or cover sheet in the area to be weakened,

Generation of the seal by welding the base film and cover film, the welding temperature and / or the pressing pressure during welding and / or the welding time being different in the area connecting the first chamber and the second chamber than in adjacent areas,

Providing different sealing geometries in (a) the area connecting the first chamber and the second chamber and (b) adjacent areas.

9. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom film (11) comprises an outer film (31).

10. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base film (11) has a footprint that the

Area of the cover film (13) in which it has a material weakening, is opposite and is designed such that the packaging can be placed on a horizontal surface after or during the penetration of the material-weakened area (17) without a flowable substance from the second Chamber (7) can escape into the environment.

11. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of units (81) with first and second chamber.

12. A method for producing a directly applicable mixture of two substances, with the following steps:

Providing a packaging (1) according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the second chamber (7) contains a second substance (9),

Applying external pressure to the first chamber (3) so that

(a) the seal connection between the foils (11, 13) is selectively released in the said area, (b) a passage channel (25) between the first and the second chamber are formed and (c) the first substance (5) is transferred from the first to the second chamber and brought into contact with the second substance,

Puncturing the cover film (13) in the area (17) assigned to the second chamber (7) which has a material weakening,

Mixing the first and the second substance before or after the cover film (13) is pierced,

Removing the mixture of the first and second substance from the second chamber (7).